Originally Posted by ijusluvit

While Cain is an interesting 'flavor of the week' and his 9/9/9 plan is a worthwhile discussion, I cannot conceive of any Congress in 2012 or 2014 seriously considering the complete dismantling of the IRS and instituting a national sales tax. Even if costed out completely and evidently better at deficit reduction, when the rubber hits the road lobbyists will exert far more clout than the new guy in town who has never even held elective office.

Let's talk realistically. The decline of Bachmann, Perry et al. is an indicator that the Republicans realize they can't hitch their wagon to a real conservative. They are obviously moving to the more centrist Romney, and the Christie endorsement sure looks like the tipping point.

We can study Romney's platform all we want but he has already made the most important point very clear. He will follow the Republican line and oppose raising any new revenue from taxes. Today's polls show that while President Obama's approval ratings are hovering around 44%, the regular folks concept of his Jobs Bill brings a 64% approval rating. I see this figure rising in the coming months unless Congress passes significant portions of Obama's action plan; some tangible job creation spending and some tax increases. To some degree, both of these elements will be necessary to blunt the protests of the "99%", whom I think will increasingly become the voice of people demanding Congressional action. Like it or not, I think all of this leads to the reelection of Obama. UNLESS: 1) Congress does nothing to appease the 99% who decide to throw him out with all the Congressional incumbents, or 2) Romney softens his position on raising revenues and promises he can convince Congress to approve his plan, a little bit more conservative version of Obama's.