If you were to compile a list of attributes that could make a dark horse Republican candidate the next President of the United States it might look something like this: Raised on a ranch in a 60's family of politically active, conservative Democrats An Eagle Scout whose son would also earn that same distinction A former Air Force officer and pilot of multi-engine, tactical aircraft A successful cotton farmer Married to his childhood sweetheart, a registered nurse, with two children Served in his state legislature as a Democrat Named by a leading state newspaper as one of the state's most effective legislators A conservative Democrat who became a Republican in 1989 Elected state agriculture commissioner in 1990 Re-elected state agriculture commissioner in 1994 by huge margin Elected his state's first ever Republican lieutenant governor in 1998 Ascended to the office of governor in 2000 when his boss got a promotion Re-elected to the governorship in 2002, 2006 and 2010 Now the most...(Read Full Post)