To the editor:

Who will be the Republican candidate to replace Sen. Martinez?

Now that Jeb Bush has declined to run (maybe?) for Sen. Martinez’s seat, the Republicans must find an electable candidate. Frankly I do not see any Ronald Reagans on the horizon but that is a standard for which we must strive.

Choosing a candidate has been a failing of ours. We seek honesty, ability, credentials, etc., and allow these honorable characteristics to override the one insurmountable ability, ie., electability. This is the time for political genius not the old smoke-filled rooms which elected so many congressmen, senators and, yes, even presidents

Each one of the state will be pushing its favorite son. I am only sorry that Connie Mack has declined the honor as he has all the marks of a great candidate – name recognition, D.C. experience, the ability to raise money, etc. As I look around, I see no shining light. Perhaps State Senate President Rubio out of Miami to capture and enlarge the Hispanic vote could make it; perhaps Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp or Gov. Crist.

But this is the era of the Democrats and any candidate will have to depend on how well President Obama does and how the economic crises is resolved or exacerbated.

You don’t have to have a Don Quixote complex to be a Republican candidate but there are several factors impinging on your success, which is why we must have that Reaganesque champion for any realistic chance to succeed Martinez.

Our beloved party is tethering on the brink of success or failure to be determined by the caliber of the candidates we choose at all levels.

Joseph N. Campocharo

Fort Myers