Obama v. ?

I’m going to go out on a limb here.  I don’t think that Mitt Romney will  get the Republican nomination.

Sure, one after another, his chief rivals have flamed  out.    Bachmann slipped when the American

Some day, America will elect its 1st robot president. I just don't think it will be in 2012.

Medical community rose with one voice and said “Really, lady, you’re an idiot.  Shut up.”  That was the catalyst, but the higher profile of her husband, who unfortunately fits the stereotype of the deeply closeted gay  Republican, may have also played a part.  Trump rose fast, sinking his teeth like a pit bull into the already  discredited  “Obama  wasn’t born in America” issue, but he fell hard when Obama released a bit more paperwork.  There are still people who’d like to keep that issue alive (Rick Perry) but even they must realize by now that it is simply not true.  Perry, a latecomer to the race, will likely be gone before the 1st  caucuses, his latest debate performance was just that bad.  Sure, everybody’s  allowed to forget a few details now and again, but not on something you are making a cornerstone of your policy.  It just reminded everyone how incredibly stupid Rick Perry is, and America has already had one cognitively challenged Governor of Texas as President, and America remembers how badly it truly sucked.  Cain is also toast.  You can’t win an election without the women’s vote, and Herman has lost it.  Even if the charges are not actually proven, the ladies believe it happened, because they know it happens.

But Romney still only has about 20-25% support among Republicans.  His name recognition should be   100% by now, he’s been running forever and has spent millions of dollars.  If it’s not above 25% (among Republicans, mind you) yet,  it’s never going to be, and that’s not enough.

But who’s left?  Ron Paul?  He has a similar problem to Romney.  Everybody already knows who he is, and his support is at about 12%.  It’s not going any higher.

Newt Gingrich?  Speaking as a Democrat, Newt Gingrich is probably my favorite choice, as he is  the only candidate more certain than Herman Cain to guarantee an Obama re-election.  But it’s not going to happen.    If Americans wanted a first lady name Callista, they’d vote for Harrison Ford.  (O.K., that last comment was pretty stupid.  Nonetheless, Newtie Toots wife is less than a campaign asset.)

There are still plenty of people who might jump in (or jump back in), because they know that the United Right Wing  will  rise to their feet as one for anybody who is not Romney and gives one     decent speech.  Also, if somebody jumps in in Iowa, or shortly thereafter, they avoid all this debate nonsense, which has become an embarrassment to the candidates, to the party, and to the American people.

So, here is my prediction:  When you are glancing through the headlines on January 4th, the day after the Iowa precinct caucuses, look for this sentence:   _______ did better than expected last night.  That person  will be the next Republican nominee.  Provided it’s not Mitt Romney.