Why were the sane candidates last to throw their hats into the Republican ring?

actually, Romney is a (comparatively) smart & sane guy.

Sane, smart, and Republican are mutually exclusive.

Jon Huntsman in 2012.

Before him, Nelson Rockefeller in 1976.

Someone sane has thrown their hat in?!?

Well let’s say “relatively” sane.

Know thy enemy?

Who are the “sane candidates” you’re talking about? I assume Chris Christie is one, but I can’t think who else you mean.

Not sure I’d trade insane for corrupt, in any case.

Christie, Bush, Rubio.

Romney is sane by comparison, but he caved to the right wing, religious base of the party, ridiculousness. The insanity about him running is I can’t imagine most people take it seriously when he has run for President so many times. Although, maybe the people who loved him are very happy he is running again.

Rubio is, ugh, a nightmare in my opinion. I think many democrats feel about Rubio the way many republicans felt about Obama. Not enough experience, and wants to change too many things democrats disagree with, and very possible a party puppet.

I think Bush is sane, and should be taken as a serious candidate. The biggest problem he has is the legacy of his brother. Most Republicans won’t mind the legacy, I think independents and democrats will. This whole confederate flag thing in the news I think helped Jeb Bush just a little with the independents, but it’s too early to be able to tell anything.

I go along with @JLeslie . Romney got the nomination because he was the only serious Republican contender. Same with Bush. I am a Democrat and disagree with Bush’s views, but at least he is not flat out wacky like most of the rest of the pack.