On a GOP Primary Update

I remain bored with the Republican race for the nomination, yet I try to remain informed. Below are some random thoughts.

Michelle Bachmann is thankfully out, Huntsman (sadly) never caught on, and more will follow her after this Saturday’s South Carolina primary.

Here’s the reason Newt Gingrich didn’t make the ballot in his own state: He’s on a book tour! So, will he vote for Romney or Paul? Not voting is an option, as is voting and leaving that part of the ballot blank.

Although I still have not watched a GOP debate, I heard one interesting sound bite explains a lot. In responding to Gingrich’s accusation of an anti-Gingrich ad from a Romney Super PAC, Mitt Romney said he did not know what was in the ad, and then listed all the points in the ad. The toping on the cake is that none of the other candidates called him out on this.

This year’s race is bizarre. The nominee will face a beatable incumbent, yet the candidates vying for the nomination can’t defeat the beatable leader of the pack.

The Ohio primary is in early March, but I wonder if a race will still be in play at that time. I recently learned that Rick Santorum did not make all ballots in the state. In the end, odds are I will either leave that part of the ballot blank or vote for Jon Huntsman if he remains on the Ohio ballot. Then again, my wild hair side may vote for Santorum just to see the party get annihilated in the fall.

Forget the drama, Mitt Romney will be the nominee, leaving the major question as who will be is VP. Because the far right will not embrace Romney, he will pick someone further to the right so he can play the center – which the far right won’t like, but will ignore.

As for Mitt and my vote, he may have too much to overcome.

As for this independent moderate, being socially liberal and fiscally conservative these days is the Island of No Hope as both parties want my vote, but not my policies. Much can happened between now and November, but I will say this much – the thought of Republican over-reach scares me as I lived it in Ohio and watched it in Wisconsin.

On Corporate Sponsors

Corporate sponsorships are so much of life today. In the sports world, corporate sponsorships are found on arenas, stadiums, golf tournaments, college football bowls, and who knows how many more places. Wow – I miss the Poulan Weed-Eater Independence Bowl, which actually was one of the first to take the corporate road in 1990.

I image corporate sponsorship of highways in the future – especially toll roads. I can see it now – the next 100 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike sponsored by Home Depot. Save those toll receipts because for every 100 dollars in tolls, receive a $10 gift card from Home Depot.

Well – for the 2012 GOP race for the nomination, why not a corporate sponsor for each candidate! For starters, I have some below. Now many of you are far more creative than I am, so feel free to add some suggestions.

• Mitt Romney – Waffle House
• Rick Perry – Hair Club for Men
• Newt Gingrich – Tiffany’s
• Tim Pawlenty – Musak
• Sarah Palin – The Money Store
• Herman Cain – Little Caesar’s
• Jon Huntsman – Mr. Clean
• Michelle Bachmann – Coco Puffs
• Rick Santorum – Preparation H
• Ron Paul – Liberty Mutual