If the Republican Party believes that the White House can be again occupied by a Republican in 2012 they need to look elsewhere than the group of "candidates" that were in Des Moines, Iowa last night. There is no way that Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Ron Paul, Jon Huntsman or Newt Gingrich, or Tim Pawlenty or Mitt Romney will be the Republican "Standard Bearer" in 2012.

I am certain that the "old guard" Republican Leadership would not disagree with this assessment. Would I waste any of my money supporting this group, hell no!

The issue is even more dire than just the group in last night's debate. Barack Obama is more than capable of being beaten in 2012. The issue is that the Republicans look as though they are not really interested in winning back the White House in 2012.

Unfortunately coming out of the fog will be Governor Rick Perry of Texas.  The scary thing here is Rick Perry might actually have the ability to win in 2012. Scary thought but very plausible. Perry could potentially win all of the South. Texas and Florida are big "Electoral" prizes. Remember each of these States will gain votes in the Electoral College per the 2010 census.

Barack Obama would absolutely need to win in California and New York State to offset those numbers. Then the real test would be can Obama win enough of the Far West and Northeast along with Michigan, Ohio (questionable) and Indiana. Obama won Virginia and North Carolina in 2008. I see those States going to Rick Perry. Perish the thought of Perry, the religious zealot, in the White House.

Think about it, Four of the greatest Presidents of the 20th Century, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman & Dwight Eisenhower, (two Republicans & two Democrats) never felt it necessary to where their faith on their shirtsleeves. Why is this so necessary now?

Maybe the Democrats need to look for another candidate afterall?

Congressman Ron Paul (R) Texas and Congressman Barney Frank (D) Massachusetts are not normally on the same page when it comes to how things are and how things ought to be. However for the moment they are of like minds when it comes to the legalization of Marijuana.

Both of these men agree that States ought to be the place where "Legislation" is formulated to deal with what happens with the legalization and use of this currently illegal substance.

The war on drugs and particularly on marijuana has been unsuccessful from the outset. Marijuana did not just appear in the 60's drug culture. This drug has been around for centuries. The 1920's and 1930's were decades where the use of marijuana was common. 

The film "Refer Madness" is about 80 years old.  This is long before any use by the "boomer" generation of the 1960's.

Money is always a motivator. States need revenue badly to make up for lost revenues in a weak economy. It is reasonable to think that at the very least this "putting it up the flag pole to see if it flies mentality", will have some affect on regulation and legalization of marijuana.

This current effort may not have much traction at present but it certainly will leave the door open to State and Local Governments looking to marijuana as a revenue source.

Can President Barack Obama be defeated in 2012? It is fair to say that there are a substantial number of Republican "hopefuls" that are wondering the same thing.

The one issue that can cause President Obama distress in the 2012 election is the "economy". The status of the economy over the rest of 2011 will loom large over how any Republican candidate may do against the sitting President next year.

Unemployment will remain at or near double digit levels even when calculated by some arcane and weighted algorithm which leaves out those that are no longer looking for work. Most people would feel more comfortable knowing the unvarnished number which falls closer to 16%.

Additional Jobs need to be and must be created. Some jobs have already returned to the workplace. The caveat regarding these new jobs is that in most cases the jobs are at a lower wage scale and most jobs have reduced benefits.  Families have a difficult time realizing the "American Dream" on $25,000 instead of $60,000 per year.

One need only look at the Boeing Corporation and their recent entry into South Carolina. No Unions and lower wages mean more profits and cheaper costs! Several thousand jobs have been created in South Carolina probably at the expense of Washington State and more precisely the Unions!

Will Obama gain votes in one State and lose votes in another, a real possibility.

Money wins elections and 2012 will be a record year for fundraising. The "pols" are already busy collecting dollars. The Republicans will need to do more than just speak of deficits and spending cuts. The Republicans will need to bring to the table a concrete, cogent plan that will reduce spending, cut the defict and not create a higher level of pain for millions on the verge of an apocalyptic collapse.

It would be refreshing to hear reasonable people speak of reasonable solutions. Currently I would give the edge to President Barack Obama regaining the White House for an additional four years.

I would also think the Republicans might win additional seats in the United States Senate and actually lose some in the House of Representaives, but not an overall majority in the House. 

Divided Government may be the best solution to resolving our economic woes.  Those on the fringes ought not have too much influence. Reasonable people in both Political Parties will hopefully prevail.

The reality is innovation and entrepreneurship will be the elixirs to get our Nation back on track. Oh! And in addition, get the hell out of Iraq and Afghanistan! What could this nation do with the trillion or so dollars spent over there?

Yes, President Obama could be defeated next year, however Republicans should not count on it.

Barack Obama won the Presidential Election quite handily in 2008. He captured something like 365 Electoral votes and carried States like North Carolina, Virginia & Indiana, typically not in the Democrat column. The Republicans essentially capitulated and gave the Democrats the easy win by choosing John McCain and Sarah Palin as candidates for President & Vice President on the Republican Ticket.

Approximately 18 months into the Obama Administration has exposed Barack Obama's lack of skill in dealing with the "workings" of the inside the beltway politics in Washington D.C..

President Obama has a higher unfavorable rating than he does a favorable rating 44% for and 48% opposed to his policies. President Obama is losing the support of Independent voters, men and even some of his Liberal Democrat colleagues.

This set of circumstances appears to signal one of two possible outcomes. The Democrats become concerned with Obama as a candidate in 2012 and look to Hillary Clinton to step in or Obama remains on the top of the Democrat ticket and loses to a Republican.

Not quite as simple as it looks. If the Republicans act similarily to the way they put together the 2008 Presidential ticket they stand to lose again.

What the Republicans need to do, no must do, to win in 2012 is to select a highly qualified candidate to run as President. This cannot be Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Tom Pawlenty or the like. These folks may be great people but they are not Presidential material.

The possible list of candidates so far for the Republicans in 2012 is "slim pickins" as it were. A possible candidate is Romney, not very personable however experienced. Another possible candidate is General Patreaus should he retire from the military in the next 12-18 months. He would certainly have "gravitas" something Obama lacks.

Of the other possible long shot candidates is Meg Whitman who is currently trying to win the Governors race in California. Should she win and do anything half right to straighten out the finances in California would be a major boost to her possibilities as a Presidential contender in 2012.

What cannot happen is to have another ridiculous slate of Republicans  try and win on lower taxes and ultra conservative values. That flag will not fly up any flagpole to win in 2012.

The winning ticket will/must have a detailed plan to begin to deal with the  economy, entitlements and immigration period. No slick talking Mike Huckabee is going to win.

The problem for Jeb Bush is that his last name is Bush. Jeb may well have the right stuff to be president with the wrong last name.

I look for more of the same nonsense from the Republicans and unfortunately more of the same from the Democrats leaving us as pawns in the usual "political power struggle" in Washington D.C.!