Who's Next?

If life was a reality show, President Obama would be a serious candidate, along with former Presidents Johnson and Carter, for the 'Most Unpopular After Two Years' award. Neither of those unfortunates (for our country) served a second term and your correspondent would be pleased were Mr. Obama to join the pantheon of one term Presidents.

It is worth noting that Mr. Obama, prior to - indeed even after - becoming a public figure had never run anything. Nor does he appear to have spent much time contemplating, or developing, policy or a political philosophy of greater sophistication than 'big government knows best and will fix everything for you'.

His sole successes - while not quite equivalent to being famous for being famous - involve two bestselling books of little distinction and the ability to get himself elected to the United States Senate and, subsequently, the Presidency. That the USA now lacks a leader of substance offers a major opportunity for Republicans in 2012. It is critical, however, that they consider the previous jobs held by the candidate that the party puts forward in 2012.

Forget charisma and the ability to attract adulatory crowds: just concentrate on substance.

Mitch Daniels, currently Governor of Indiana and formerly Director of the Office of Management and Budget might be a choice worthy of serious consideration.