Chuck Grassley (R., IA) On GOP Field: Only Two Or Three Of Them Are Qualified

When it comes to the potential candidates for the GOP nomination next year, consider Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley underwhelmed:

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) doesn’t think most of the potential 2012 Republican contenders are “qualified to be president.”

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Grassley said “only two or three of them” are qualified.

He didn’t say which ones, but the Iowa Democratic Party on Friday called on him to specify.

Grassley added that he’s unlikely to endorse a candidate who wins in Iowa but struggles elsewhere.

“It wouldn’t do me much good to back somebody that won in Iowa if they can’t carry on the campaign elsewhere,” Grassley said.

A number of prominent Republicans mulling a presidential run have stressed the importance of winning the early primary state.

I’ve got to say that Grassley is pretty much on the nose here.

FILED UNDER: 2012 Election, US Politics, , ,
Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Comments

  1. Moosebreath says:

    I agree with the Iowa Dems — he needs to name names (my guess is Romney, Pawlenty with the maybe Daniels, because he may not run).

  2. Kylopod says:

    Palin, Bachmann, and Cain, of course!

    /snark

  3. Tsar Nicholas says:

    Pawlenty = Qualified. Very tough road in the primary. Good general election candidate.
    Romney = Qualified. Tough road in the primary. Good general election candidate.
    Huntsman = Qualified, but not a serious candidate.
    Huckabee = Qualified in the literal sense, but not a serious general election candidate.
    Daniels = Qualified, but not actually running.
    Santorum = Qualified, but not a serious general election candidate.

    Gingrich = Qualified in the literal sense. Not a serious candidate.
    Palin = Not qualified, but might actually become the nominee. Disasterous general election candidate.

    Bachmann = Not even remotely close to qualified. Not a serious candidate
    Cain = Not worth even discussing.

  4. Brainster says:

    Let’s remember that they will be running against one of the least-qualified men to reach the presidency.

  5. Smooth Jazz says:

    “I’ve got to say that Grassley is pretty much on the nose here”

    Oh, Isn’t that just grand; An Obama sychophant opining on the GOP field. I have news for you: 4 years ago many people felt Obama wasn’t qualified yet the jaded media and assorted gadflys dragged him over the finish line. Now look where we are: The guy is overmatched and in WAY WAY over his head. And you have the audicity to whine and bitch about Gov Palin’s qualifications. What are Obama’s qualifications???

  6. Kylopod says:

    >Let’s remember that they will be running against one of the least-qualified men to reach the presidency.

    You don’t think being an Illinois lawyer who serves for eight years in the Illinois state legislature and two years in the House of Representatives qualifies someone to be president?