The GOP in 2012

Mike Huckabee has said that he is leaning against running for President as a Republican in the next election. Citing that it is too early to say for sure, it appears that his decision will rest on several factors, including the results of the 2010 biennial elections and whether he thinks the party would unite behind him as a candidate.

Mitt Romney seems likely to be in the mix, as do Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, and Newt Gingrich. There are undoubtedly several others considering a run, so it's all little more than speculation at this point. Further, every one of them carries baggage: Palin for being part of a failed campaign, Jindal for being new, Gingrich for already having had a political career (which means a record that can be severely scrutinized), and so forth. But the main question which the GOP must address is: what kind of a party does it want to be?

Does it merely want to be an anti-Obama opposition type group? While that may appeal to many of the knee-jerk voters, it is a rather shallow platform. Anybody can be in opposition; simply be contrary and you have that market cornered.

Or does it want to be a party which stands for something? Which has principles worth defending and voting for in light of the current events? That would surely broaden its base, as the average joe will listen when someone speaks to their heart as well as their head. Do any of the current crop actually reflect that virtue?

Hopefully, Huckabee will run. He seems the most likely to fit that mold. We shall see.