For what it is worth, I suspect Republican-leaning voters have pretty much the same view toward those who supported the President. Take a look at some of the comments on the Republican leaning sites like Red State, or Michelle Malkin.

While I think there was a great deal of dissatisfaction among Republican voters with the composition of the field early in the process, when it appeared to be Romney and the seven dwarfs, I think (and polling data suggests) that Republicans are now far more satisfied that they have real choices among solid candidates. This is party due to Perry’s entrance, but it also reflects that the fact that they’ve heard these candidates on several platforms now, and they actually are more impressive than initial media reports suggested. It is also a function, I think, of Obama’s increasing electoral vulnerability; Republicans are realizing that if they can muster support for a single candidate – almost any candidate – they will be in very good shape to retake the White House. So that’s going to up the enthusiasm level for whoever the nominee is. This is not to discount your point that there is a bit of the ‘flavor of the month” feel to this process, as the media hype and then scrutiny move to the latest entry. Perry may be benefiting – and will likely suffer – from this effect. but once the field is settled (where are you, Sarah?) I expect it will be winnowed fairly quickly and Republican support and enthusiasm will deepen for one or two (or possibly three) front-runners.

Good points here. But could you explain why the front runners among this particular group of GOP candidates keeps getting bumped by the latest candidate to announce he’s or she’s in the race. Could that be because the public simply doesn’t know the most recent candidate very well, and once they’ve heard them speak and see a bit about the campaign they look for the next boy — or girl — wonder?

My take is that the folks being polled haven’t liked any of the front-runners so far, and eagerly jump to the newest candidate as their best hope to beat Obama. They size them up for a few weeks, get disenchanted and then look for the next one. As a tactic, Perry might be smarter than he appears just by virtue of waiting to be among the latest to announce (does that make Palin smarter than Perry — heaven forbid!)

Now, or pretty soon, GOP activists will have to decide which one of these candidates they dislike the least… which is my point: it doesn’t appear that any of the GOP candidates have any depth of support. It’s an inch deep, and very flighty… all at the whim of how those polled feel — not think — on any given day.

Best,
Angelo