GOP 2016 Race Shaping Up To Be Disaster

Washington Post:

As Republicans look ahead to the 2016 presidential race, they are hoping to avoid the kind of chaotic and protracted nominating battle that dismayed party elders and damaged the eventual candidacy of Mitt Romney.
That, however, could be a hard thing to prevent.
The party is divided and in turmoil, with a civil war raging between its establishment and insurgent factions. For the first time in memory, there is no obvious early favorite — no candidate with wide appeal who has run before, no incumbent president or vice president, no clear establishment pick.
Meanwhile, an enormous number of potential contenders are looking at the race, including, perhaps, a return of virtually everyone who ran in 2012. Come this time next year, 15 or more of them could be traveling the early primary states, jockeying for attention and money.

A large number of candidates wouldn't be too bad if a few of them were relatively sane, but...

The next presidential election is expected to be a testing ground for a new generation of Republican leaders — senators who might include the charismatic Marco Rubio (Fla.), libertarian Rand Paul (Ky.) and tea party gladiator Ted Cruz (Tex.), and much-mentioned governors such as Chris Christie (N.J.), Bobby Jindal (La.), John Kasich (Ohio), Rick Snyder (Mich.), Scott Walker (Wis.) and Mike Pence (Ind.).
Then there is the potential for a parade of formers and also-rans. Former Texas governor Rick Perry is preparing for another race, a do-over after his 2012 debacle. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who took the Iowa caucuses in 2008, has said he is thinking about it, too, as is former senator Rick Santorum (Pa.), who won Iowa in 2012.
Asked whether he has ruled out another run, former House speaker Newt Gingrich — busy these days with a CNN show and selling a new book — was hardly Shermanesque. “Probably,” he replied by e-mail.
Even former pizza magnate Herman Cain, who briefly led the GOP primary polls in late 2011, is keeping the door open.....
Rounding out the field may be a battalion of backbench congressmen, tea party darlings and conservative media stars, including Maryland neurosurgeon Ben Carson, whose fiery speech at the National Prayer Breakfast last year made him a conservative celebrity, and John Bolton, the former U.N. ambassador, who has raised more than $700,000 for his political action committee. Rep. Peter T. King (N.Y.), another hawk on foreign policy, is eyeing a run as well.
Of all those being talked about — or talking themselves up — there is only one who could enter the race and immediately be declared the man to beat.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush has a stature that gives him the luxury of waiting, knowing that he could upend the contest the moment he took the plunge.

I'm sorry, but when Jeb Bush might be the candidate to rescue the party from itself, you are in big, big trouble.  Actually, the problem isn't the candidates so much as the party.  I can guarantee that the party will push once again for tax cuts, which are needed like a hole in the head.  They will push for fewer financial regulations when we need more and better ones.  They will push for war with Iran and U.S. involvement in Syria's civil war.  Looking at the list of the "next generation" of national Republicans, I shudder.  What a collection of tools, jerks and assholes.  Mike Pence?  He's a dim-bulb empty suit that makes Mitch Daniels look like a brilliant leader (he's not).   Ted Cruz? Holy fuck, what a jackass.  When John Kasich looks like the best guy on the list, you need a new list.  I've seen that guy speak without notes.  He's clueless.  And Herman Cain might run again? Kick me in the head, please.

The good news is that we don't have to worry about these clowns for about two years, and that leaves the party time to come to its senses.  The bad news is that they won't.