Bison Bud

First off, I'm a registered Independent, but did v**e for Trump both times and although I have never liked the man's personality, I have agreed with much of his politics and polices. Before the p******c and e******n fiasco, I thought he might just be the best President we've ever had, but those events and other more recent ones have made me rethink that concept and this is probably true for many of us swing v**ers that don't just v**e a party line.

All in all, I really don't feel like Trump should run again and I have my doubts that he could win if he did! Therefore, I have recently been thinking about just who might be a viable P**********l candidate for the Republican party and Conservatives in general and I just can't seem to come up with anyone that I think could win. I see this as a real problem that should be dealt with very soon! Unless we want to see another 4 years of Biden/Harris, we had better get the ball rolling on a viable candidate very soon. So, who do other conservatives see as our best chance for the future and why (even if it is Trump)? I'd be really interested in your views!

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

My feelings echo yours with regard to President Trump. I did not like his personality but feel he did a great job as POTUS in what he accomplished during his term in office. He sure as hell accomplished more than any other President in his term. The Left tells us everything he did was not good and/or he did nothing at all. That is a lie designed to keep people from v****g for him again.

Like you I would love to elect someone who would fill Trump's shoes but in a kinder gentler sort of manner. I have settled on nobody but I would consider Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Kristi Noem for a start. I would v**e for Trump again if he won the primary.

Dennis

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

How about not starting with names, but rather with a set of qualifications or traits, both positive and negative, that would fit the bill? Then you can start putting names against those qualities and see who floats to the top. You have already said you don't want Trump again, so you have a pretty good start at the negative traits.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

For the most part Trumps problems are his mouth. , not his policies. So if the republican party can come up with a candidate with better "mouth control" while restoring many of Trumps sucessfull policies he gets my v**e. IT's more than 3 years away. Hard to say, at this time. who that person might be. But my shoes would be better candidates than Biden or Harris and Hillary nwould be even worse.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I too am not a great fan of Trump personally, but liked his policies but I don’t think him getting reelected would be good for the country. Also, I am of the opinion that another Biden/Harris term would be disastrous and a large portion of the populous feel similarity. What we need more than anything is someone who could be considered a “unifier”. How do you feel about Trey Goudy?

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

What the Repubs need is Trump without the crazy. The bind the Republicans have put themselves in that it appears that a Republican candidate cannot survive the primaries without the crazy. When you have to embrace outladish stuff like book burnings, continuing festering over losing in 2020 (including the Big Lie and the whole circus that attends it) and extremist anti choice policies that are only popular in Trump Town, it is really hard to navigate back towards the center for the general e******n. You can't win primaries without the crazy and you can't win the general with it.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

There are good, conservatives who are sane. Trump should take a back seat, and advocate for one.

Bison Bud

A reasonable suggestion on creating a list of qualities needed, but I don't have all the answers and would like input from others. However, to start the ball rolling here is a short list of my thoughts on the matter:

1. Someone that will put America first rather than their personal or party political agendas and goals.
2. Someone with P**********l character worthy of the office.
3. Someone that wants to control our current "Tax and Spend" system of government and has a plan to do so.
4. Someone that can improve our economy without all the give away incentives that only put us further in debt.
5. Someone that will limit the printing of more worthless paper money, which is a major source of inflation.
6. Someone that will take a hard line on the ongoing war on terrorism without trying to be "Guardians of the Galaxy"
7. Someone for fair and legal immigration rather than broad amnesty for i*****l i*******ts.
8. Someone that can lead by example and promote "bi-partisin" cooperation in Congress and elsewhere.
9. Someone that can find some mid-ground on C*****e C****e and make realistic decisions on how to proceed.
10. Most of all, someone that can win against the liberal left and promote more conservative government well into the future.

Bison Bud

"Trump without the crazy" pretty much says it all for me!

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

That is a great start. The only point I would make is that item 10 needs to also exclude extreme rightists.

Bison Bud

Yeah, extremism is a bad thing no matter what side of an issue it is on!

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

With Trump, the Republicans have a wolf by the ears. They can't hang on and the can't let go. Faustian bargains never end well.

thom w Loc: San Jose, CA

But then he wouldn't be a malignant narcissist.

DennyT Loc: Central Missouri woods

Thank you
In other words a real conservative

Frank T Loc: New York, NY

The pubs have put themselves in a bind. The acid test for any Republican running for office is that he never speaks ill of trump and toes the line that the e******n wasn't fair.
Perhaps if the Republicans get soundly thrashed in the midterms they will understand that Trump is the weight around their necks that will drown them and the party.