[TidesHoss32]

I also try to hold Republicans to a higher standard. We didn't do that in 2008 and we ended up having to vote for the rather dim-witted and untrustworthy camera-chasing John McCain.

There are no perfect Republican candidates but IMO, Bachman is among the better ones who are actually running. I would prefer Haley Barbour, Bobby Jindal, or Mitch Daniels, but those guys have declined to toss their hats into the ring.

I also like Herman Cain. He is a very good communicator who has been very successful in the private sector and has also served Chairman of the Denver Federal Reserve. But I do not think that Cain can beat Obama in a head to head race. I think Cain understands that this is not his year to win but he is earning a high position in a new GOP administration.

I used to be a Gingrich supporter but the last straw for me was the public service TV commercial where he sat on a couch beside Nancy Pelosi to urge serious action to reverse the impact of man made global warming. Gingrich has almost no support among conservatives because of stunts such as this, and without any conservative support, it is hard to see how he has any chance of winning the nomination. I think that he is running to promote his books and paid public speaking business.

Rick Perry has a strong economic record to run upon but the fact that his college transcript is full of Cs and Ds means that he will be castigated as a moron by the media throughout the campaign. Every gaffe that he makes will be reported with 10 times the frequency and enthusiasm that accompanies similar gaffes by Obama and Biden.

Unless somebody else enters the race, I will probably reluctantly support Romney because his intellect and ethical record towers above Obama's. Except for Romneycare, I can forgive him for his less-than-conservative record as governor of Massachusetts. Republicans who want to be governor in that state cannot govern as conservatives. Romney is smart and electable.

My mind is still open but right now, I see the race ultimately coming down to a battle between Perry and Romney.

I definitely wouldnt mind seeing Perry or Romney either. Dont get me wrong, Hoot, if it came down to it, I wont hesitate to vote for Bachmann if she gets the nod, but personally, I would rather see someone else..Ah well, maybe in a perfect world, lol....