>>>>>>>>>So why, all of a sudden, now?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>That's an excellent question. He should have let the "controversy" rage as long as possible. Let the birthers waste their time on something known to be completely harmless.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I bet if they thought Trump could ride it to the nomination they would have <bg>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The Republican field is still a joke. Trump? Unelectable. Palin? Unelectable. Romney, Gingrich, on and on, unelectable. Maybe one of the little-knowns will emerge. The only one I take seriously at all is Mike Huckabee. I have a lot of respect for him even though we disagree right down the line on the issues. He is smart, has a sense of humor, and even plays the guitar. But I don't think any evangelical can win a general election. The social agenda will scare off way too many moderates and liberals.
>>>>>
>>>>>Pretty much agree with all that, except I'm not sure about Romney. Huckabee seems like somebody it would be nice to know, but I don't think he has a prayer ( you'll forgive the expression) Some big heavy hitter from business or the military would be nice, but I don't see anybody in those fields as wanting it or willing.
>>>>>
>>>>>Unfortunately we are limited to professional politicians - which in my mind makes most of them undesirable from the get-go. True for both parties.
>>>>>We get to vote for the "least unqualified"
>>>>
>>>>If they could be drafted, would there be any hope for any ex-Bush admin types e.g. Rice or Powell?
>>>
>>>I've been supporting Conde Rice for president since she worked for the first Bush, but I think she's too smart to put herself through that. To me she'd be a slam dunk VP nominee. ( the one McCain should have begged for on his hands and knees)
>>>
>>>Not sure about Powell. Never was as impressed with him as others seemed to be ( would have voted for him over Obama in a heartbeat. ) But my understanding is his wife would completely veto it.
>>>
>>>But you'd think with 350 million people or whatever we have we'd be able to come up with somebody who understands business, is well read in history and has a strong enough character to be willing to be a great one term President.
>>>
>>>And if not that, how about a Kardashian?
>>
>>Hey, Bill Gates is retired from MS, he's got nothing better to do < eg >
>
>Mr. Charisma !

To be honest, if it's a choice between charisma and ability, at this time the US (and the rest of the world) needs the latter, not the former.

If you insist on charisma, there's always Ellison < g >