Hey, Don't Worry About The GOP Presidential Field

I know that a lot of pundits are wondering what is wrong with the Republican presidential field for 2012.
Here is a contrast over at Hot Air:

Matt Latimer: Damn, This GOP Field Is Terrible

Jay Cost: Democrats Should Be Worried About The GOP Field.

Amazing that two people are looking at the same thing and coming to different conclusions.
Mr. Latimer seems to be taking an emotional approach to this. He is convinced that the Republicans should just vote for the former Minnesota governor, Tim Palwenty and watch a Bob Dole/John McCain redux. And for some reason, he bases some of this on the decision of the current Mississippi governor, Haley Barbour saying no to 2012.
To be honest, I did not think that Gov. Barbour would have much of a chance. Not because he is not a good solid conservative. It is the fact, like it or not, that Gov. Barbour is not just from the Deep South. His accent gives it away. But that it would be the worst contrast to the first Black president, the Dear Leader, President Obama.
Anyhow, Mr. Latimer seems to be writing off 2012 for the Republicans.
And then there is the analysis of Mr. Cost.
Mr. Cost points out that there are some serious Republicans wanting to run for president. They include, but not limited to the former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, the aforementioned Mr. Palwenty, as well as the current Indiana governor, Mitch Daniels. Where I seriously disagree with Mr. Cost is thinking the former Utah governor and former ambassador to Red China, John Huntsman, Jr. is a serious candidate. Mr. Huntsman will get absolutely nowhere in a GOP primary. Since his ambassadorship was handed to him by the Dear Leader, President Obama, he will be seen as nothing more than a fifth columnist by most Republican caucus and primary voters. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is much more to the base liking. As well as the three others already mentioned.
Mr. Cost also makes the point that there is little if any chance that the Republicans will vote for a fringe candidate. Sorry Donald and Ron Paul. You will not even be hired for the nomination.
Yes, the Dems will do all at their disposal to make the GOP nominee out to be a whack job. Remember Ronald Reagan? And if that fails, just make sure to note he or she is a dummy. How about George W. Bush?
But Mr. Cost makes the point that the GOP has not had a fringe candidate since Sen. Barry Goldwater in 1964. And, history had bared him out and he was just ahead of his time. The reality is no one could have beat President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, so soon after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bob Dole, George W. Bush and John McCain were all well established members of the GOP. Some were defiantly more part of the establishment than others. But these were not off the reservation nominees.
And, something Mr. Latimer misses is the enthusiasm among Republicans vs. Democrats.
The fact is that most are not really paying attention to a campaign that is way more than a year away. With a weak economy, people are not having the luxury of handicapping a potential presidential field so soon. When the primaries and caucuses start early next year, and candidates are known, look for GOP voters to line up behind someone.
I am with Mr. Cost in general. I have a candidate that I believe can unify all forces if given the chance. And yeah, I even have a second choice. And that is another post.