The GOP is in a pickle in the leadership department. Some really brilliant folks out there, any one who would make a competent Presidnet, but none that come without some baggage that they created for themselves or was invented for them.
Mitt Romney. Competent and brings impressive experience, but his healthcare initiative in Massachusetts isn't working out as planned and would be used against him. And, though he's articulate, good looking, and intelligent, on camera he too often seems too slick, too polished. Turns people off.
Mike Huckabee. Also competent, exceedingly articulate and quick on his feet, and brings necessary experience, but he hurt himself with his proposed immigration policy and comes across as just too 'country' to be inspiring to much of the country.
Haley Barber. Almost the same scenario as Huckabee but even more focused and a tough cookie behind a somewhat 'aw shucks' country demeanor that keeps people from appreciating how smart and capable he is.
Sarah Palin. A rising star that cannot succeed because leftists can be some of the most cruel, hateful, and unconscionable viscious people on Earth and they are going to heap it all on the head of a smart, strong conservative woman or a smart, strong conservative black or other minority. And frankly, I don't think she's tough enough to put her family through that.
Jeb Bush. Pick of the litter in my opinion, but he is saddled with the Bush name and he can't get away from that.
Newt Gingrich. One of the most intelligent, reasoned, and visionary GOP leaders to rise to the top, but he brings so much negative baggage with him that I don't think he can regain the traction necessary.
Michael Steele. He's smart enough and in another year or two will have the necessary name recognition, but he has developed a reputation for being an appeaser instead of a fighter, and I don't know that the GOP want that right now.
Bobby Jindal. He's sort of like Sarah, young, competent, great behind a microphone, but he is also a 'minority' and therefore would be crucified as the left cannot allow a conservative minority or female gain traction. He may not be seasoned or conditioned enough to weather that yet.
We need a leader with the charisma of a Perot, the experience and track record of a Romney, the ability to inspire of a Palin, the ability to inspire confidence of a Jindal, the down home likeability of a Huckabee or Barber, the class of a Jeb Bush, and the vision of a Gingrich, and the willingness to be right instead of popular of a Steele.
So where do we get somebody like that?