While he might not admit it, Culpeper’s congressman could be one of the GOP’s best hopes.
It’s three years until the next presidential election, yet it’s never too early to gaze into our crystal ball. Let’s speculate as to which Republican might oppose Barack Obama — we’ll
assume he’s running for a second term — in 2012.
John McCain is yesterday’s news. So is Mitt Romney. Golden boy Bobby Jindal shot himself in the foot. Sarah Palin? She’s become a sideshow who has splintered the party. Is
there anyone else?
With no heir apparent, it’s shaping up to be another wide open field for the GOP, leaving the opportunity for someone like Eric Cantor to make a serious run — if he so decides — at
the world’s most important elected office.
Wait a minute, you say. Isn’t Cantor Culpeper’s congressman? The next president coming from Culpeper? Come on!
Consider this: Cantor is one of the GOP’s rising stars. He’s the minority whip in the U.S. House, giving him considerable power. And if the GOP regains the House in 2010, his stock
will rise even more.
Cantor is scandal-free and has done nothing to soil his image on the national scale. He keeps getting more face time on national news shows, and he’s even been spoofed a few
times on Saturday Night Live. He’s Jewish and his wife is a Democrat, two factors that could be spun quite nicely by GOP strategists. (Transparency note: Cantor’s wife, Diana,
serves on the board of trustees for the Star-Exponent’s parent company, Media General.)
To be fair, Cantor has downplayed the rumors he might run for president — but doesn’t every politician at some point? Still, don’t be surprised if you see him take a shot at the Oval
Office, whether in 2012 or some point down the road.
— Culpeper Star-Exponent
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