I like Mike

With the next U.S. Republican presidential primaries a mere two years away, let's avoid the rush and start eliminating potential contenders right now.

As much as some of us – especially my more conservative brethren – would enjoy a Texas and Kentucky ticket for the Grand Old Party, I'm thinking that Sens. Ted Cruz and Rand Paul most likely will not survive the Super Tuesday popularity contests in 2016.

(And, no, I hadn't even considered Kentucky's other U.S. senator for the 2016 ticket. Let's not switch to Mitch.)

While there would be nothing more politically pleasing than to see a fall 2016 presidential debate between Ted Cruz and Hillary Rodham, it's not likely.

Then, of course, there's the real GOP heavyweight, New Jersey's Chris Christie. Once again, that's a no. Negatory on the portly pol. Besides, for those of us old-timers in the Ohio newspaper business, every time we hear the Chubby One speak, we cannot help but hear the eerily similar voice of that erstwhile media mogul and would-be politician from Ohio whose company bankrupt about four years ago.

Let's take a wide pass on Christie. (Assuming the passing lanes have been re-opened in New Jersey.)

While I do admire two possible contenders from the Sunshine State – Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush – neither is electable atop the 2016 ticket.

By the way, wasn't it the late, great William F. Buckley, Jr. who said you have to put forth an electable candidate? (And where have we heard that message recently? Anyone?)

Rubio may be a great choice as VP, but it's doubtful that he sees himself, at this stage of his political "career," as anything less than the top of the ticket. As for Jeb Bush, well, from 1980-2013, the United States of America has had either a Bush or a Clinton in the White House or Cabinet. That's just too conveniently close to a dual-aristocracy in this grand republic. Enough, already, with the Bushes and the Clintons. Be gone. Enjoy your taxpayer-funded lifestyles as American 1-percenters.

Closer to home, the names of Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Sen. Rob Portman occasionally enter into the 2016 conversation, though more and more less so for the latter. That's too bad.

As to the former, the Ohio governor would probably fit right in as the Obama successor. He certainly has had no problem increasing government spending and expanding government programs here in Ohio. If the Republican Party wants a Big Government candidate in 2016, Kasich might fit the bill.

So, who's left? Glad you asked.

There is one Midwestern state executive I'd like to see atop the 2016 Republican ticket: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

There are many reasons. Here are two:

• 1. If elected, Mike Pence would be the first non-Ivy League president since Ronald Reagan. It's about damn time. (Pence has his juris doctorate from good ol' Indiana University School of Law, 1986.)

• 2. As a governor – and one who has not committed to seeking the presidency – Mike Pence said of other governors who would like to be president: "I don't want to hear somebody who says 'Send me to Washington, and I'll run the government like I ran my state.' What I'm listening for is somebody who says 'Send me to Washington, and I'll work to make it more possible for the next person running my state to run it with more freedom and more flexibility.' That's a message."

Gov. Pence's quotes are courtesy of Eliana Johnson in the May 5 edition of National Review.

As for a few other reasons to support Mike Pence:

• Unlike so many Ohio politicians (we're referencing the Republican kind who ought to know better but obviously don't), Indiana Gov. Mike Pence opposes Common Core, which places more Washington controls in local schools.

Indiana was the first state in the nation to reject Common Core, thanks to Mike Pence.

“I believe our students are best served when decisions about education are made at the state and local level," Pence said. "By signing this legislation, Indiana has taken an important step forward in developing academic standards that are written by Hoosiers, for Hoosiers, and are uncommonly high, and I commend members of the General Assembly for their support."

In an Indianapolis Star editorial, educator and author David Masciotra, writes: "Common Core is a set of seemingly innocuous, but dangerous educational standards drafted by the Council of Chief State School Officers and supported by unimaginative thinkers like former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. It betrays the most exciting promise of learning by insisting on conformity, rather than creativity.

"Gov. Mike Pence deserves a hero’s celebration from teachers, parents and students for the bold action he took to rescue his state, and its children, from the waffle maker of intellectual conformity called Common Core."

While Hoosiers celebrate Mike Pence's courage, Buckeyes can continue to regret our state's lack of courage.

Mr. Masciotra adds: "Common Core reveals the dark side of the liberal project. It is not only about standardizing institutions, but standardizing human beings."

Why, pray tell, would any rational politician support such a grand scheme?

More importantly, why would anyone with an ounce of common sense continue to vote for them?

One final thought: If elected president of these United States, Mike Pence would be the first elected U.S. president since Harry Truman to have an easily identifiable name of the people.

President Mike Pence.

Doesn't that sound so much better than: John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Richard Milhous Nixon, George Herbert Walker Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, Barack Hussein Obama, etc.?

Mike Pence.

For president.

One can hope.

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.