Who should run for President?

It is pretty obvious Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, and Rick Santorum want to run for President. People like Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee, and Bobby Jindal are probably strongly considering it as well. Some of these names I like more than others but I have a couple of suggestions.

What I look for in a Presidential Candidate
A record of reducing the size of government, cutting spending and other waste, leadership in times of crisis, political courage, and an ability to communicate clearly to not only conservatives but independents. A strong knowledge of foreign policy and economics is also preferable. I don't care about experience by itself, conservative credentials, endorsements, fundraising ability, geographical origin, gender, race, or hair color.

1. Mitch Daniels, Governor Indiana
Daniels cut spending during a period when almost every state was increasing its spending. He introduced a health savings account plan that has been shown to lower premiums, he cut property taxes as well as simplifying them. Finally, he brought a period of economic growth to Indiana just before the recession. He is conservative on economic and fiscal issues, a federalist, but also proven to be able to "get things done" rather than just spout out rhetoric. He is smart and well-spoken. The only negative is that he is on record of saying he doesn't want to run for President. He is also on record being a bit critical of the national Republican Party (a positive for me but not for the Republican Party that would nominate him).

2. Bobby Jindal, Governor Louisiana
Jindal doesn't quite have the list of fiscal accomplishments but has been a popular leader and more than capable of dealing with a rough situation down there. Replacing a fairly incompetent governor, Jindal has kept the state relatively stable. He is a true conservative as well, intelligent charismatic. On the negatives, his accomplishments are not long. He is young, perhaps too young. Finally, it is important he is able to stand up to the Party, which he has shown a reluctance to do at times. He needs to be tested a bit more perhaps. It could be that by 2011-2012 he will have completed a distinguished term as governor.

3. General David Petraeus, Commander of Central Command
The hero of Iraq and probably the best general we have, Petraeus also has a strong background in regular foreign policy and public policy. He has a masters from Princeton and can speak knowledgably on almost any subject. His ability to handle Congress in hearings shows his ability to communicate and to withstand criticism is very strong. He is adored by his men and his leadership is beyond question. However, Petraeus's real value would not be in the fiscal area, in my opinion. He is also an unknown, who knows how he would handle the political world. It is not like commanding troops in battle. He is still high on my list.

4. Mike Pence, Congressman Indiana
Another Hoosier, but this one has experience, votes conservatively year in and year out, and has been a more vocal member of the House Caucus. He is smart and charismatic as well. However, he has no record of leadership or accomplishment outside of the Congress and in fact even that record is a bit short. I am also pretty averse to legislators in general. He would be a fine choice but he has a bit of baggage more than likely since he served in Congress during the Bush years where there was more spending.

I am a huge fan of Paul Ryan (Rep. from Wisconsin), John Thune (Senator from South Dakota), and the new governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell. However, I would rather have those three where they are. The House Republicans need to start reforming themselves and putting in younger leadership. In my opinion Paul Ryan should become the new leader of the Republicans and hopefully the Speaker if they retake the House. The same for Thune in the Senate. We need great people in both chambers as well as a new President.

Romney, Huckabee, and Pawlenty are good men but they are fairly moderate. They speak too much to moderates and want to be loved by all. I don't think they have the political courage and leadership necessary. They also lack good track records of reducing spending or reducing the size of government. Unfortunately for the Republican Party, there is a shortage of female leaders. Michelle Bachmann, Marsha Blackburn, and Kay Bailey Hutchison are excellent but none are really there yet in terms of accomplishment and leadership. They also have shown no ability to appeal to anyone other than their base.

Noticably missing from the list is Sarah Palin. Palin is VERY charismatic and adored by many, her policy expertise is steadily growing as well. However, she clearly has gaping holes in her knowledge and is inexperienced. 2-3 years as governor of the smallest state of the union is insufficient in my opinion. She clearly has political courage and leadership qualities but needs to build up the rest of the resume. She is young and will be a voice for conservatives for years to come. If she runs in 2016 or 2020 that would be excellent, but I think 2012 might not be the right election for her.

Others:
Newt Gingrich is too old and clearly wants to be on television more than anything else. Rick Santorum has no record of accomplishments and too overly focused on social issues, which are not relevant in 2010 and won't be in 2012. Scott Brown is a moderate so people need to stop pointing to his victory as a sign of things to come. Mike Huckabee is not qualified to be President.

Any thoughts? Additions?