2012 U.S. Presidential Election

[rvg]

And they will complain again in 2016 when the "establishment" pushes a more electable candidate over the nutcases they want.

Makes me think that Romney will probably repeat McCain's mistake pick some darling of the far right as a veep. That's not his only problem of course, but it sure won't help him.

[a completely inoffensive name]

I have a feeling that Romney's defeat (if he loses) will bring about the end of the current GOP structure unless some brand new charismatic leader takes control after 2012. The strong conservative base is itching for a "real" conservative to be put out there, with their flames being fanned by talk radio and Fox News.

There are many possible leaders to arise for 2016 like Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal, Marco Rubio. But by that point we might see a large rebellion by the more extremists in the party against all somewhat moderate candidates seemingly hand picked by the leadership. The last thing they would want after Obama's second term is someone like Hillary in charge and they would go nuts if someone like Romney came about again as the establishment candidate.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Makes me think that Romney will probably repeat McCain's mistake pick some darling of the far right as a veep. That's not his only problem of course, but it sure won't help him.

Catch 22. If Romney doesn't pick such a veep nom, he loses grass roots workers and a sizeable slice of the GOP right wing stay home rather than vote.

As to the one-term/two-term We have had 15 presidents re-elected, 8 who failed to be re-elected, 1 who both failed and then succeeded, 1 un-elected incumbent who lost, 3 incumbents who withdrew from re-election for a second term or for their own second term, 3 who sought nomination while filling the term of a deceased predecessor but were not nominated, and 5 who died during their first terms. A two-term president is NOT an automatic option.