The MSM is currently busy doing the “Texas Two Step” for Rick Perry. Most commentators have moved Romney from the GOP pack leader back to private citizen. The problem is that all of these so-called political experts do not concern themselves with the major divisions currently splitting the Republican Party. In respect to these facts I am watching the person who I think will wind up as the standard bearer for the GOP in the general presidential election and it sure ain’t Rick Perry. More below.
There are three major groups striving for control of the Republican Party. There are (1) the Christian Evangelicals/Southern Baptist group, (2) the Plutocratic Corporate Oligarchs, and (3) the Libertarians. Since the election of President Obama each one of these groups have been able from time to time to dominate the MSM headlines and the national conversation. In Congress the “lock step” enforced unity masks the turbulent “no holds barred” struggle going on behind the scenes within the GOP. Mitt Romney failed in 2007 to convince the Republicans that he was their presidential candidate due to the strohg sectarian opposition from the Christian Evangelicals. Unfortunately for Governor Romney the situation appears unchanged this time around.
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann functioned as a stand-in candidate for the Christian Evangelicals who were hoping and praying for a good Christian candidate to enter the GOP presidential race. Their prayers have been answered by Texas Governor Rick Perry. Bachmann also grabbed the leadership role for the Tea Party movement. The Tea Party is the political tool of the GOP Plutocratic Corporate Oligarchs, who in addition to creating and funding ALEC did the same for the Tea Party. It is my personal opinion that Governor Christy of New Jersy was and still is the desired Presidential candidate for the Corporate Oligarchs.
Finally the Libertarians are the strongest most politically powerful group in the Republican Party. Most political commentators treat the Libertarian ideology as if it was the charter of some local paternal organization like the Masons or the Rotary Club. In fact the Libertarian ideology is the most demanding of any in the Republican Party including the Christian Evangelicals. Further the Libertarians have been active within the Republican Party since the days of Ronald Reagan. The House Libertarians have already demonstrated their political muscle during the recent battle over raising the debt ceiling. This group of 87 freshman Libertarian Republicans were able to bring their caucus leader the speaker of the House to his knees.
Ron Paul remains the Presidential choice of the Libertarians, and his close finish on the heels of home town girl Michelle Bachmann speaks volumes about who has the polical power in this race. If Ron Paul wins in New Hampshire (and I am predicting that he has a great shot) the field will shrink to a two man battle between Paul and Perry. Unfortunately Rick Perry does not have the huge dedicated following of Ron Paul, and the Pauline fanatics will snuff out Perry’s campaign leading up to the Republican Convention. If Ron gets the nomination, I would not be surprised to see him bring his son Rand Paul along as the GOP Vice Presidential candidate, making a GOP Pauline ticket. This would be the dream ticket that the Libertarians have been dreaming about for almost four decades.
Make no mistake a GOP Pauline presidential ticket would really give President Obama a tough run in the general election, simply because Ron Paul currently has a LOT OF SUPPORT among INDEPENDENT white male voters. I’m definitely keeping my eye on the New Hampshire GOP primary. As I write this MSNBC is showing a clip from the Jon Stewart show where Jon is raising a similar question over the way that the MSM has ignored Ron Paul’s tight second place finish in the Iowa straw poll. Hmmm do great minds think alike?