That Republican presidential field looks less like an assemblage of candidates than a collection of fatal mistakes and irreparable flaws, with occasional embodiments of one or more of the Seven Deadly Sins. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney? A flip-flopper who inspired Obamacare. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty? A too-bashful critic of Romneycare, with a sleepy persona. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich? Serial adultery and terminal hubris.
Godfather’s Pizza magnate Herman Cain? A rousing speaker with a future in talk radio. Former Sen. Rick Santorum? Not many politicians warm up for a presidential race by losing a Senate seat in a landslide. Rep. Michele Bachmann? Only one House member has ever gone directly to the presidency (James Garfield, in 1880).
