GOP watch: It will be interesting to see what happens when it comes time to commit

They are starting to come out of the woodwork -- the men who are testing the waters to see if perhaps they could be the next Republican candidate for president.

And there have been and will be plenty to say about all of them -- some of them already have reputations, while others are newcomers to the political world.

But one thing is for certain -- and something they need to remember as they begin their plans of attack -- being anti-incumbent is not enough, not this time and not if they really want a successful bid to be this country's next chief executive.

The reason is pretty simple. American voters will not be fooled again -- not by Democrats masquerading as Republicans and vice versa, and not by people who say one thing and then do another.

Charisma is not going to get anyone a seat in the Oval Office -- and the sooner these GOP hopefuls get that message -- the better.

To get on the ticket this year, you are going to have to have ideas with substance, and a plan for how you will take them from supposition to reality. Just being a good speaker and looking good at the podium are not enough, not this time. We simply cannot, as a nation, afford to make that mistake.

There are serious concerns to deal with for the next presidential contenders. They will need to be prepared to act decisively on a number of issues, not the least of which is growing this economy.

The next candidate for president has to have a world plan as well as a battle plan, and be prepared to do what is right, not what will boost his poll numbers.

And it will not be enough just to critique the current occupant of the White House.

Come to the game with a plan or don't come at all.

Published in Editorials on March 25, 2011 10:56 AM