Who is the Republican Party Presidential frontrunner and why?

2015-07-14T11:34:43-04:00

The field of Republican Presidential Candidates is now at 16. This is one of the largest fields of candidates in history. The sheer size of the field has caused a great amount of debate, let alone the actual candidates and their views.

Please keep in mind that the first debates are six months away and the first voters go to the polls a year from now. As always, a great deal will change and the field will shrink considerable prior to the first debate. Perhaps the amount of mudslinging will be at a minimum this time around, than again probably not. Through all of the campaigning, debating, commercials, rallies, and other common political practices a frontrunner has to exist for the Republican Party eventually.

Who do you think that frontrunner for the Republican Party is?

What qualities or views do you think will propel them through the campaign process to be the Republican candidate for President?

1. Jeb Bush
2. Ben Carson
3. Chris Christie
4. Ted Cruz
5. Scott Walker
6. Carly Fiorina
7. Lindsey Graham
8. Mike Huckabee
9. Bobby Jindal
10. George Pataki
11. Rand Paul
12. Donald Trump
13. Rick Perry
14. Marco Rubio
15. Rick Santorum
16. John Kasich

Please have fun and highlight any unique stances that the candidates have that you think will either work for them or against them. Please feel free to comment regardless of your political views. I think there are a ton of important issue that are already on the table, what do you think?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 14 at 2015 11:40 AM

2015-07-14T11:40:09-04:00

It is so big that it has become comical! The Republican party has become a joke and is showing that they really don't know who to support as their candidate. A laughing stock!

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jul 14 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-07-14T11:44:09-04:00

Holy Elephant!!!! That's a lot of Republicans. My favorite ones are Walker, Trump and Rubio.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jul 14 at 2015 11:46 AM

2015-07-14T11:46:47-04:00

Having so many candidates signifies that the Republican Party do care for the future of this country.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 14 at 2015 11:52 AM

2015-07-14T11:52:52-04:00

Based on the most recent polls, it's Jeb Bush. I suspect his support is mostly the moderate and establishment voters. However, over 80% of the vote has chosen someone else. It's a marathon, and they're only on the second mile.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_republican_presidential_nomination-3823.html

2016 - 2016 Republican Presidential Nomination | RealClearPolitics

2016 - 2016 Republican Presidential Nomination

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Jul 14 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-07-14T11:53:42-04:00

Id have to say Bush, Rubio and Walker are the top of the cream, although I do like Ben Carson a lot also. Im hoping one of the three I like and then one of the remaining three as VP. And for those that think a bunch running is bad I point out would you rather be on the other side with one choice. A criminal Like Ole Hillary? Miss 3 Felony/sell out the USA as your only choice for President?

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jul 14 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-07-14T11:54:08-04:00

Want to see where the "smart money" is?
https://www.ipredict.co.nz/app.php?do=browse&cat=445

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 14 at 2015 11:56 AM

2015-07-14T11:56:30-04:00

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member It's too early for me to pick a candidate. I don't see Trump in your list. Did he go Independent and I missed that? I'm a Republican and will remain a Republican, but I just haven't seen anything great about any one candidate since Ronald Reagan. I'm holding judgment for a while to see who is still standing in 6 months.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 11:56 AM

2015-07-14T11:56:50-04:00

The Republican party is without a clear front runner for the 2016 race.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 14 at 2015 12:10 PM

2015-07-14T12:10:28-04:00

Bush is the front runner. He can generate the money to get the nomination.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jul 14 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-07-14T12:11:00-04:00

I don't speak for the majority of republicans, so I couldn't say for certain who will lead the race. I personally like Ben Carson. A man grounded in Christ, who does not have the corrupt background of a politician. I like Donald Trump's directness, it's refreshing, though with the easily offended Americans of today, I don't see him winning. A lot of people still see his campaign as a joke, so it will be rough for him to get the backing to win. There are a few others with quite a few good qualities, though some of them I am unfamiliar with. Carly Fiorina has worked in business and given her some skills that would be useful as President, but I don't think American will vote for her with all the claims of her outsourcing jobs. I feel that a lot of her backing will come from republican voters who want a woman president (that's not Hillary). I don't like Jeb Bush as a candidate, he's too much of a 'good ole boys' club with the GOP leadership and doesn't seem to connect well with the citizens. I've never liked Rick Perry, he acts more like a showman than a genuine American concerned about the future of our country. The way our country is right now, I think it would be difficult to elect anyone who isn't part of a minority class. If the GOP puts an elitist-type white male politician as their primary candidate, I don't see our next President being Republican. It's sad that our country cares more about diversity than qualifications, but we need a candidate that can win America's vote (not just the Republican vote). Ben Carson and Ted Cruz would be my frontrunners.

Response by SSG Keith Roberson made Jul 14 at 2015 12:14 PM

2015-07-14T12:14:25-04:00

I would have to say Ted Cruz, and possibly Donald Trump simply due to the fact he's got billions of dollars and not afraid to speak his mind.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 14 at 2015 12:18 PM

2015-07-14T12:18:45-04:00

Yeah, it's like would I rather have a 24 stomach bug or a 24 hour migraine headache, which is worse?? Hmm...

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 14 at 2015 12:26 PM

2015-07-14T12:26:32-04:00

Because of his connections, Jeb Bush is probably rated very high on the list as a front runner. Unfortunately for me, the only Republican candidate I like is Chris Christie.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 14 at 2015 12:29 PM

2015-07-14T12:29:53-04:00

Right now, it looks like Trump, who would be an unmitigated disaster for the GOP. That climb won't last though. I expect a Bush/Rubio ticket at this point. The fundraising power and appeal to the hispanic vote will be a powerful combination.

Unfortunately, I also think this primary will be so vicious that it'll leave whoever wins wounded and limping into the GE.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jul 14 at 2015 12:55 PM

2015-07-14T12:55:26-04:00

Whoever wins, it won't be the Best Citizen for the job. S/He isn't running. S/He never does. The incentives are set up wrong.

Response by SGT Ronnie Warford made Jul 14 at 2015 9:14 PM

2015-07-14T21:14:03-04:00

Can't even believe Rick Perry or Ted Cruz are on the list. The most embarrassing Texan politicians in the history of the United States

Response by Bryce Englin made Jul 14 at 2015 9:45 PM

2015-07-14T21:45:07-04:00

I'm going with Rand Paul, he's been very quiet, picked his moments and is hitting on issues others are avoiding. I believe that while he never served he sincerely respects those of us in uniform and will appoint competent leaders. Overall though I feel his numbers are going to start going up after the debate. 2016 feels like it's going to be a Republican win based on how deep the candidate field goes and it's gotta a lot of good ones.

Response by Sgt Mark Ramos made Jul 15 at 2015 9:55 AM

2015-07-15T09:55:11-04:00

The front runner is now Donald Trump (not my choice). Why? For the same reason the last president won, populist BS. Populist BS, just a different crowd buying it this time.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Jul 15 at 2015 10:07 AM

2015-07-15T10:07:40-04:00

I personally like John Kasich and Ben Carson - that way when he is introduced they can say....

Heeeeeeeeereeeees Johnny.... also the signs would be great --- Vote for Johnny Carson

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 15 at 2015 12:02 PM

2015-07-15T12:02:23-04:00

As a Conservative Libertarian I prefer Dr. Rand Paul. But I also like The Donald, mostly for his directness and his speaking from his heart (and not a teleprompter).

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Sep 9 at 2015 2:21 AM

2015-09-09T02:21:36-04:00

Looks like this was posted about a month ago and then stalled after the initial responses. As of Sep 4th, Donald Trump is the frontrunner by far in all polls - take your pick. Carson is next, followed by Bush. Rubio and Cruz are tied. Trump is roughly around 32%, Carson 14%, Bush 8%.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 9 at 2015 2:23 AM

2015-09-09T02:23:37-04:00

Well, I'm waiting until about a week before the decision is made and then I am going to campaign like crazy. Don't rule me out just yet. I will promise you 'Dis, Dat, and the other ting'

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the%20little%20dictator%20gilligans%20island&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=the%20little%20dictator%20gilligans%20island&sc=0-28&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=B5706B2E9F5245A3674AB5706B2E9F5245A3674A

Response by SGT William Howell made Sep 10 at 2015 9:30 AM

2015-09-10T09:30:10-04:00

Ben Chandler! Hands down. No matter how Fox or any other news organization tries to keep Bush in this. Ben Chandler is in this and is Trumps main contender. I am getting sick of the fact that Ben is not getting credit for running a a good clean campaign.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 7:46 AM

2015-09-29T07:46:35-04:00

But the Democratic side is very very very clear!!!! how nice!

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made Sep 29 at 2015 9:23 PM

2015-09-29T21:23:10-04:00

Trump is! Because he has the Fire and the Audacity! Most Americans Do! He is taking off a Blanket of Censorship that we haven't seen before! He has killed the tradition of "Political Correctness"!