GOP Power Rankings 11/22/11... Romney still the guy to beat, field reshuffling every few weeks... It's less than a year until we go to the polls and vote for the next President of the Unites States. Heading into the debates former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was considered the front runner by most pundits. Today, after about a dozen GOP debates, I say Romney is still the prohibitive favorite to secure his party's nomination next Summer. Others in the Republican field have had their moments in the spotlight. Michelle Bachmann winning the Iowa straw poll last August. Rick Perry declaring at the same time and garnering much attention when he did so. Herman Cain riding his charm and his 9-9-9 economic plan to early success earlier this Fall. Others have not had their "moment" yet. Rick Santorum and John Huntsman have avoided large glaring gaffs, but have not gained any serious traction as of yet. The two oldest GOP hopefuls, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul have each taken their own paths to where they stand today. Paul, with support a foot wide but a mile deep has held fast to his ideals. Gingrich, with his rather inauspicious first few months in the campaign, battled regrettable utterances on Meet The Press about the Ryan Budget Plan, saw his staff quit on him and had to fend off a mostly bull(*)(*)(*)(*) thing about his Tiffany's account. Both are interesting men and terribly flawed candidates. Romney find himself atop this issue of the power rankings for a few reasons. First, he's the best debater of the bunch except for possibly Gingrich. Secondly, with one exception, he's emerged from every debate without a scratch. He's prepared, he's relaxed and he's avoided any significant blunders. Bachmann quickly proved she couldn't sustain... Continue here...
