when the voters learn Jeb Bush's basic positions, he will lose support

[Suzanimal]

GOP voters care about key issues. Example A is Rudy Ghouliani who had a 20% lead in the polls all through 2007 until voters found out his issue positions.

No they don't.

 

[Galileo Galilei]

No they don't.

OK, GOP voters did not care that Ghouliani was pro-choice.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

no one would know until hes already nominated

 

[RandallFan]

Jeb Bush has the fact he is RINO from the get-go helping him with honesty honesty about his brand. Rick Perry and Gingrich claimed to be conservative than offered a liberal alternative on immigration.

The conservative vote is being divided 6 ways. Huckabee on social issues. Carson as the token black. Santorum on legal immigration. Cruz on illegal immigration. Rand on being the electable Tea Party and other issues. Walker as the RINO blogger favorite.

 

[Krugminator2]

I actually think people will like Bush more as they get to know him. If anything, I think his last name and hatred from talk radio might be holding him back. It is very concerning that he already is putting up numbers like this. I watched a lengthy interview with him last year and came away thinking this guy would be almost impossible to beat. He is very smart and more conservative than W. Dole, McCain, and Romney. He was a popular governor of a key state.

Honestly, Rand needs to get focused. He needs to stop looking like slob. And needs to just be sharper all around. And he needs to figure out a way to become acceptable to more people in the party.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

Anybody who thinks voters actually care about issues, I have some beachfront property in Colorado you may be interested in....

 

[Natural Citizen]

Anybody who thinks voters actually care about issues, I have some beachfront property in Colorado you may be interested in....

Most (in the mainstream demograph) have no grasp on what the critical and relevant issues actually are. Or what the issues should be. "The issues" are the same romper room nonsense every election cycle to these people.

Of course, most (in the mainstream demograph) are outnumbered now. They just don't know it. Independents should have a good turnout conforming to the trend during the midterm. Recall that Independents polled higher during the recent mid term elections than any election in modern history.

 

[jjdoyle]

Anybody who thinks voters actually care about issues, I have some beachfront property in Colorado you may be interested in....

I'm interested in this beachfront property...
I mean, we know for a fact in 2008 and 2012 Republican voters overwhelmingly voted for the one candidate each year with the most consistent, conservative, constitutional records.

 

[TheTexan]

Does it make sense for Jeb to be the next Bush in line for the presidency though?

Seems like the legitimate heir would be George W Bush's son, not his brother..

 

[William Tell]

Anybody who thinks voters actually care about issues, I have some beachfront property in Colorado you may be interested in....

Yeah, but some freaking optimism wouldn't hurt once in a while....

 

[alucard13mm]

Reminds me of the movie Underworld where 3 of the original vampires took turn to rule every 100 years. Must be Bush's turn again.

 

[TheTexan]

Yeah, but some freaking optimism wouldn't hurt once in a while....

Delusional optimism doesn't help anybody though

 

[r3volution 3.0]

All voters vote on what they perceive the issues to be.

Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of voters perceive wrongly - because they let the media do their thinking for them.

This is, by the way, what we "pragmatic libertarians" have been trying to explain to the "purist libertarians" ever since Rand took office.

Rand has got to shape people's perceptions of what the issues are, what his positions are, what his opponents' positions are, etc.

Truth and reality have nothing to do with it.

It's about who can craft the cleverest propaganda, and how loudly you can broadcast it. Rand's crafted his PR very cleverly, but he's always going to be at a diadvantage in broadcasting it, because that takes money and he will never have more money than his establishment opponents. To win, we have to be so much smarter than they are that we negate their financial advantage - a very tall order.

But it's still early, Jeb's recent surge is no big deal (or surprise) at this point.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

Yeah, but some freaking optimism wouldn't hurt once in a while....

I had all the optimism in the world in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. My optimism tank is starting to run a little low...

 

[William Tell]

Delusional optimism doesn't help anybody though

I remember when people said Rand Paul would never win his Senate run. I think most people in Gunny's state thought he would not win. I would say Rand has the best shot at the presidency of any liberty leaning candidate in memorable history.

 

[William Tell]

I had all the optimism in the world in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. My optimism tank is starting to run a little low...

You won, and I won't be talking down any future races you run. In fact, I will cheer you on, how 'bout them apples?

 

[Millennial Conservatarian]

Best case scenario: Cruz runs, drops out, endorse Rand.

The question comes down to whether Ted is really on the Liberty ship or not. If he really is (even given that he is an incredible narcissist with neo con/theocrat tendencies), then he needs to put his pride aside, recognize he has no shot in hell of winning it for himself, and get on board to help Rand however he can. Even if it means running himself and dropping out after the first state or two and endorsing Rand. At that point, if let's say Jeb is leading significantly, a heartfelt plea from Canada Ted to the white trash base that supports him might be enough to get them to mostly get behind Rand in unison.... we can only pray...

 

[GunnyFreedom]

You won, and I won't be talking down any future races you run. In fact, I will cheer you on, how 'bout them apples?

LOL the only race I am talking down here is Jeb Bush. please feel free to talk down the Bushes and the Clintons all you want.

I still Stand With Rand, because I can see what he's doing and it's bloody brilliant.

 

[jjdoyle]

Delusional optimism doesn't help anybody though

What is this "delusional optimism" you speak of? If Ron Paul were to run in 2016, he would easily win. That's how much progress has been made...

 

[NIU Students for Liberty]

GOP voters care about key issues. Example A is Rudy Ghouliani who had a 20% lead in the polls all through 2007 until voters found out his issue positions.

Not so fast. Going into the primaries, Giuliani had the endorsement of Pat Robertson, which only boosted his polling numbers. What brought Giuliani down was his idiotic focus on Florida (while completely ignoring the early momentum primary states), not to mention accusations of tax fraud & unethical expenditures while he was mayor.