We understand the limitations of polls and know they can easily go awry through any number of errors. And we’re hoping every possible error converged when CNN conducted its poll on who Republicans and Republican-leaning independents think should win the party nomination.
Sitting at the top of the list were Mike Huckabee and — we’re having trouble just writing this — Donald Trump. For now, we’re consoling ourselves by remembering that it’s very early in a race with no clear frontrunners. Maybe people are relying on name recognition right now but aren’t yet ready to make a decision that will stand months down the road.
Part of us, however, wonders if the people polled weren’t sincere in their trust of a man who is more famous for his wives, bankruptcies, stupid TV show slogan and ridiculous hair than for his political viewpoints. It is also alarming that people are saying they would consider voting for someone who may be talking about throwing his name in the ring solely to get publicity for a TV show.
Maybe we misunderstood the last few years. Do Republicans want Obama to get another stint in office? This question extends beyond even the nonsensical Trump campaign. With the possible Republican candidates, we’re finding that name recognition is overriding any other qualifications they bring to the table. We just don’t want another president the world would laugh at us for. Is that too much to ask?
