A recovery not so much.
Today's gloomy jobs report brought unemployment just back north of 9%. The projected gain in jobs was supposed to be about 150,000 whereas the real number actually gained was closer to 54,000 making unemployment 9.1%. A number we all know to be 1.1% higher than the maximum number predicted by the Obama Administration after the passage of the stimulus package.
The Dow Jones is currently concluding it's fifth straight week of loses. A number that would make the Washington Wizards jealous.
Domestic policy more so than anything else shapes Presidential elections. The economy is first and foremost in everyone's minds.
An economy stuck in a rut will lead to short term benefits that could become long term benefits for Republican contenders in 2012.
The candidates that can lead the way with this bump would be: Jon Huntsman, Mitt Romney, Herman Cain, and Gary Johnson. All three men have had fantastic successes in the private sector.
Jon Huntsman has gained the support of major financial backers. This economic uncertainty will lead to further name recognition for Huntsman who is in severe need of it according to recent polls. The name recognition will build upon an already secure base of some of the established Republican guard. This could lead to lasting benefits for the current long shot. Huntsman will now stand a better chance if he can seize the moment.
The current front-runner and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will be able to capitalize on this moment with his private sector experience. When the message is solely based on job creation he can attempt to move past RomneyCare. If he can successfully move to the topic of job creation through typical conservative ideals (lower taxes, less regulation, etc.). Romney can use this to fend off a potential bid by New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin (even though I believe she will not run).
A man with rising name recognition and with high positivity scores can keep the momentum going. That man is Herman Cain. Cain made a name for himself solely on his private sector accomplishments. His view on the private sector can translate into the public sector according to the late Jack Kemp whom Cain advised in 1996. This is assuredly put Cain in the spotlight again and when people get to know Herman Cain they love Herman Cain as evident by the Gallup Positivity Polls.
The last former businessman in the field is former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. Johnson has less name recognition than I do and has garnered as much national appeal. This is his now or never moment. Of course he will still lose the majority of libertarian-minded Republicans to Dr. Paul but he will attempt to steal some of the more economically minded ones from the doctor. If he doesn't look better after this economic news there will be little hope for the mountain climber.
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