The Ideal Republican Presidential Candidate

There has been discussion about Republican voters searching for a "perfect" candidate as a means of explaining why several candidates have surged and then declined. In the interest of satisfying these voters, I introduce the new perfect Republican candidate: Ronnewmitt Bachhuntsanrry.

What does our new candidate bring to the race? Let's take a look:

• Our candidate has the polish of Mitt Romney. There's no dispute that when he is on stage with the other candidates, Romney has consistently looked the sharpest.
• Our candidate has the intelligence of Newt Gingrich. While Romney has looked strong in the debates due to his appearance and speaking skills, there is once again no dispute that Gingrich has shown himself to be the most intelligent man on the stage.
• Our candidate has the passion of Rick Perry. While Perry's "I don't think you have a heart" comment came across as snobbish, it also shows how much Perry believes in his views. Even though some of his views go against what some conservatives believe, Perry has focused himself on passionately defending them rather than running from them.
• Our candidate has the values of Rick Santorum. Santorum has stood for his values throughout the campaign, and while it is possible that a Herman Cain-like accusation could surface, he stands out as the leader on family values-related issues.
• Our candidate has the love for freedom of Ron Paul. Paul's strong opposition to government intervention makes him stand out among the candidates. While his views on foreign policy are too isolationist to be practical in today's society, his economic views are definitely along the lines of what America needs.
• Our candidate has the foreign policy experience of Jon Huntsman. Foreign policy experience is lacking among the majority of the candidates, so serving as an ambassador to the world's largest nation (even under a Democrat administration) is a plus in the foreign policy area.
• Our candidate has the personality of Michele Bachmann. While she has often been criticized (even among Republicans), there is no argument that she is one of the most likable figures in the race.

While our "perfect" candidate obviously does not exist, this exercise shows that each candidate brings something unique to the race. The candidates have obviously tried to focus on highlighting their differences as a means of gaining the support of voters, but the candidates must also not forget the positives that each one can bring to the table. There is no "perfect" candidate, but most if not all of these candidates could do a fine job as president, and any of them would do a better job than the man currently occupying the Oval Office.