Jim DeMint wouldn't be a bad way to go, actually. He's got ties to both the Tea Party/grassroots elements and the establishment. I'm pretty sure he fits the social conservative mold, too, doesn't he? He might have to fight for it, but I could see him doing well as long he doesn't bomb the debates.
Yeah. The candidates Roguebeaver mentions are some excellent ITTL alternative prospects to compare to DeMint:
Jeb Bush - great candidate on paper, ruined by his name
Barbour - too provincial
Daniels - another Pawlenty
Thune - he's sort of a blank canvas to draw upon, he would have to shift into a prominent role early in Obama's presidency
Ryan - is being built up into a major role, and isn't dragged down by many past policy stances; 2012 may be too soon, unless all others back out. If all others back out, he's exactly what Republicans are looking for.
Christie - makes perfect sense if he still wins the NJ governor election ITTL. His griping about 2016 in OTL makes it seem like he seriously considered 2012 and only reluctantly backed out. The Republican establishment loves him. His only drawback is that he is from the class of 2009, so if he wants establishment backing he'll have to defer to those ahead of him in line. This would be everybody but Ryan.
If I throw in DeMint, I would rate the non-OTL 2012 candidates DeMint > Christie > Thune > Ryan > Daniels > Barbour > J Bush
Last edited: